Will Johnson and Alvas Powell Called Up for World Cup Qualifiers

Darlington Nagbe is not the only player from the Portland Timbers being called up to his national team from the Timbers nest week, just the only one for whom this is a new experience.

Will Johnson has been called up for Canada and Alvas Powell has been called up for Jamaica as both nations head into CONCACAF's World Cup Qualifying. The pair have long been fixtures of their respective national teams, with Johnson regularly captaining the CNT and receiving 36 caps for Canada over the last ten years and Powell having already received 21 caps for the Reggae Boyz at only 21 years old.

Johnson, who has yet to get back on the field for the Timbers after undergoing a minor surgery to remove several screws from his leg over a month ago, has already made two appearances for Canada this season, appearing in a pair of matches against Belize in September and tallying a goal for the CNT. Johnson has been on the bench for the Timbers last two matches, but has not been brought on to play.

Powell, meanwhile, has had an eventful year with Jamaica after a controversial exit from the side during the CONCACAF Gold Cup over the summer, returning early to the Timbers and prompting harsh words from Jamaica's coach Winfried Schäfer. Powell was back in the side for September's qualifiers, though, and appears to have mended his relationship with the Jamaican federation.

Canada will face off against Honduras on Friday, Nov. 13th and against El Salvador on Tuesday, Nov. 17th. Jamaica play Panama on the 13th and Haiti on the 17th.